For over 17 years, Urban Development has been a force in UK urban music, an organisation committed to developing the next generation of artists, industry leaders and music creatives through education, inspiration and enterprise. Urban Development has grown into a nationwide source of knowledge for 14-25 year olds, mainly for Black, Asian and Minority ethnic (BAME) students, staying true to the work that started Urban Development years ago. Now making more power moves than ever, Urban Development rounds off 2017 with a series of projects that will shine a light on tomorrow’s brightest stars, joining forces with BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Introducing hosts Amplify and the KA & GRM Daily Rated Awards 2017, to boot.

What’s new with Urban Development?

1xtra in partnership with Urban Development present: INDUSTRY TAKEOVER ALL-DAYER: COLLEGE EDITIONUrban Development is pleased to announce a new event, Industry Takeover All Dayer: College Edition, produced in partnership with BBC Radio 1Xtra. Industry Takeover All Dayer: College Edition will form part of BBC Radio 1Xtra’s outreach programme, which will take place at venues across Manchester ahead of the stations flagship annual event, 1Xtra Live. The event will take place on November 8th, at the Royal Northern College of Music and will see 300 college students between 16-18 invited to attend a series of panel sessions, workshops and talks, from leading industry figures.

Urban Urban Development plays a pivotal role within British urban music, as well as the wider UK music industry. It’s commitment to supporting emerging artists, aspiring music industry professionals and future music talent, makes the partnership with 1Xtra a powerful opportunity to move outside of London and benefit the next wave of talent from Manchester.

KA & GRM DAILY : RATED AWARDSUrban Development has also teamed up with the Rated Awards for this years event. Urban Development will be sponsoring the Best Breakthrough Award, as well as working with Rated on its national talent search for the winner of the Get Rated Award. Here, six nominees will be selected to be in with a chance of winning an all singing, all dancing, ‘money can’t buy’, prize for one ‘BREAKTHROUGH’ prize winner and two runners up - which will include tour slots with Live Nation, studio time, publishing with Believe and Bucks Music Group, plus industry mentoring.

KA Get Rated Award winner will receive:

Urban Development Artist Accelerator package worth £5,000A place on a five date UK tour in association with Live NationFree studio time at leading London StudiosDistribution, Marketing and publishing, in association with Believe and Bucks Music Group.Their very own artist channel set up and 1-2-1 advice sessions with VEVO.

‘URBAN ARTIST SCHOOL’ / THE ARTISTS:A school dedicated to recognizing and developing new talent, the ‘Urban Artist School’ is a year long course, resulting in a level 4 extended diploma qualification, that combines industry savvy with practical and creative lessons to help the next generation of urban talent. Each year sees around 20 young people taken on under the programme, focused on nurturing under-served and disadvantaged young people’s raw talent. As part of the commercial arm, Urban Development Music, a growing roster of talent including Devlin, Paigey Cakey, and more have all received support, mentorship and a basic infrastructure to start their career.

BACKGROUND Urban Development was founded in 2000 by Pamela McCormick and is an Arts Council England RFO /NPO, with an aim to bridge the gap between industry savvy and creative exploration - arming tomorrow’s talent with an understanding of business and owning their art. Through their work, Urban Development has supported thousands of aspiring artists and business people across London and the UK’s most diverse boroughs, with a core audience of 14–25 year old BAME students. For more information head to the website.

As part of Urban Development’s work, the team will continue to push the boundaries of UK urban music, and continuously focus on projects that will benefit young people with a desire to work in creative industries. It’s been a big 12 months with Urban Development working with more and more young people, and there’s much more to come.